Sleep Evaluation Device Using Motion Detection and Color-Coded Graphs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polysomnography and existing non-invasive sleep evaluation methods burden users with invasive sensors and complex data interpretation, and they restrict bedding types and provide limited insights into sleep states beyond simple sleeping or waking states.
Innovation Solution
A sleep evaluation device with a body motion detection unit and arithmetic operation unit that generates display data to show sleep levels over time, using a graph with color-coded segments for easy interpretation, allowing for non-invasive monitoring and clear visualization of sleep states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If polysomnography is used to measure sleep patterns, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to invasive electrodes and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex polysomnography system by using only body motion detection. Instead of measuring multiple physiological parameters (brainwaves, eye movements, muscle activity), the invention focuses solely on body motion as a sufficient indicator for sleep state evaluation, thereby simplifying the examination system while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the sleep evaluation function by using body motion data instead of direct physiological measurements. The body motion detection unit captures movement patterns that correlate with sleep states, providing a non-invasive alternative that replicates the essential information needed for sleep assessment without requiring complex sensor arrays.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are arranged under bedding to reduce invasiveness, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to restrictions on bedding types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the measurement system universal by detaching it from specific bedding types. The body motion detection unit can be placed on various surfaces (floor, bed, chair) and still function effectively. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to work across different bedding configurations and living environments, eliminating the restriction to specific mattress types while maintaining ease of use.
3Ease of operation
If simple sleeping/waking state discrimination is used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to limited sleep state insights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sleep evaluation into hierarchical levels: first discriminating between sleeping and waking states, then further categorizing sleep states into levels (e.g., light sleep, deep sleep). This segmented approach maintains ease of interpretation by providing structured categories while preserving detailed sleep state information that would be lost in a simple binary classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different levels of detail to different aspects of sleep evaluation. The overall sleep state is presented in easily interpretable categories, while the underlying body motion data retains detailed information about movement patterns, duration, and intensity. This allows users to access detailed information when needed while maintaining simple default presentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement device is provided with a sensor for detecting body motion of a subject and a CPU for executing processing for generating display data. The CPU includes a first discrimination unit for discriminating a sleeping state of the subject for each unit period, based on a sensor signal output from the sensor, a second discrimination unit for discriminating a level of the sleeping state of a predetermined period consisting of a predetermined number of continuous unit periods, based on the sleeping state for each unit period, a decision unit for deciding a display mode for each predetermined period, according to the level of the sleeping state of the predetermined period, and a generation unit for generating display data for displaying the level of the sleeping state of the subject in the predetermined period on a display device with a graph along the time axis.